Driving mechanism for railway-car generators



Sept. 24, 1929. w. F. RICHARDS 1,728,979

DRIVING MEGHANISM FOR RAILWAY CAR GENERATORS Filed Nov. 9, 1927 5 Sheets-Shea?I 1 @l II ZZ y M l Il" I l u D/ I r V I Sept. 24, 1929. w. F. RICHARDS i 1,728,979

DRIVING- MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY CAR GENERATORS Filed Nov. 9, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 zy @0V/ifa] Haw-,QSI

Sept. 24, 1929. w. F. RICHARDS 1,728,979

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR RAILWAY CAR GENEHATORS Filed Nov. 9, 1.927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l l l u Patented Sept. 24, 1929 WIL'LARD F. RICHARDS, or DnrEw, NEW Yonx DnIvLNG micnanrsn ron RAILWAY-can ennnaa'roas -Application filed November 9, 1927. Serial No. 232,089.

Thisvinvention relates generally to thecar lighting systems of railway cars and more particularly to improvements in the driving mechanism thereof.

One of its objects is the provision of a positive, dependable and integral mechanical drive `mechanism applied. to the1 truck frame between the car axle and the generator which has been designed to insure safety and security, *and which'has no parts liable to become detached and drop on to the rails. Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this character whose partsfare 4so designed andv organizedas to provide a maximumof accessibility andpermit the ready adjustment of its driving and driven elements to eifectually maintain them y intheir proper positions regardless of the [relative movements of the car-axle and the truck.

. A still further object is the provision of a driving mechanism for the car lighting systems of railway cars-and the like which is so constructed as to render the use of the ycustomary generators applicable thereto without in any way altering their construction; I

' ther objects and features of the invention reside in the particular novel construction andarrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed and particularly p'ointedout in the appended claims."

In the accompanying drawings Figure I is a si e elevation of thedrive mechanism embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a top plan View thereof. Figure 3v is an enlarged transverse sectionon line 3&3, Figure 2. Figures 4 and' 5 are enlarged horizontal sections on the correspondingly'nu'm-v bered lines in Figure 1. Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse section on line 6-6, Figure 2.

Similar characters of reference indicate correspondingparts throughout the several` 45 views.

Referring now to the drawings, 10. indicates thel car-axle supported in the usual manner on the cartruck 11, and 12 indicates the car-lighting generator of any standard' ably at one end thereof, with its shaft 13 arranged `parallel with the axle. Mounted on the latter to turn therewith is a gear 14 meshing with a pinion 15 mounted on a shaft `16 journaled in a'hanger 17 suspended from 55 ytively connected to the generator-shaft 13.

For the purpose of maintaining the pitch circles of the driving'gear 14 and pinion 15 in their proper tangential relation, distance 65v drums 22, 23 are applied to the car-axle and driven shaft, respectively, and are kept in rolling contact at all times by a yielding connection provided between the shafthanger 17 and the truck, said connection con- 70 sisting of -a rod 24 connected at one end to the hanger and guided at its opposite end in the truck, and a coil sprin 25 applied to the rod and serving to urge t e hanger toward the axle.. The tension 'ofthis spring is such 75 as to maintain a normal driving engagement between the gear andthe pinion and toprevent any undue strain or shocks being transmitted to these`partssuch as the shocks inci- Ident. to the application -of the brakes.' The 80 4'bevel gears 19 and 20 are preferably housed within aV case 26 attached to the hanger 17. Secured to and extending forwardly fromthe lgear case 26 is a housing 27 through whichy the propeller shaft 21 extends, said 35 housing terminating at 'its front end in a collar 28 which is telescopically fitted within a bearing sleeve 29 app-lied to the rearward cylindrical extension 30 of a gear case 31 attached to the adjoining end of the gener- 9 0 ator 12. Splined on the frontend of the prof peller shaft Ais a bevel gear 32 having a comparatively long hub 33 between which and the Sleeve 29 are arranged a series of thrust lbearings' 34.` This propeller shaft is jour- 95 naled at its front and rear ends in suitable bearings 35 applied to its housing 27. The bevel gear 32 meshes with a similar gear 36 "onthe generator-shaft 13 and through the medium of these gears,lthe bevel gears 19, 10

20, the gear 14 and the pinion 15, a positive drive is provided between the car-axle and the generator. As the hanger 17 swings in one direction or the other in response .tothe fore and vaft movements of the axle 10, the propeller shaft 21 is free to slide in the hub of the bevel gear 32 and the adjoining end of its housing-collar 28 is slidable in the bearing sleeve 29. An annular external shoulder 37 formed on the latter intermediate its ends abuts against the opposing rear end of the gear case extension 3() and serves to predetermine the pitch lines of the gears 32, 36.

For the purpose of holding the bevel gears 32, 36 in proper mesh, `the rear end of the gear-hub 33 is externall threaded-for receiving an adjusting colar 38 which bears against the rearmost bearing 34.

Mounted on that end of the generator 12 adjoining the gear case 31 is a supporting ring 39 containing a thrust bearing 40 surrounding the generator-shaft and abutting at its front end against the hub of the bevel gear 36. Projecting forwardly from this supporting ring is a threaded neck 41 upon 1 which an attaching plate 42 is adjustably mounted and to which is secured the gear case 31 by bolts 43 or otherysuitable fastenings. By screwing the attaching plate toward and from the generator, the propeller shaft can be readilyand accurately positioned relative to the generator shaft to insure the proper meshing of the gears 32 and 36. In order to provide for the proper joining of saidgear case to the attaching plate after a set adjustment of such plate has been made, the latter is preferably provided with an annular row of openings 44 with one or another of which the corresponding bolts 43 are adapted to register.

This driving mechanism is intended for adaptation to the standard types of car lighting generators now in use and the projecting end of its shaft 13 may be provided with a sleeve 45 held firmly against the gear 36 by a nut 46.4 i

The generator 12 is mounted for lateral movement toward and from and at right angles to the propeller shafty 21 and for this purpose is provided at its top and bottom with perforated attaching lugs or earsl47, 47 which extend toward the truck-frame 11 for` interposition between opposing pairs of similar perforated lugs 48, 49 formed on a supporting plate or bracket 50 riveted or other- Wise secured to the end of the truck-frame.

Upper and lower coupling bolts 51, 52 pass through these companion lugs and appliedto one end of one of saidbolts is a sleeve 53 which extends through the corresponding end lug 48 and applied to the opposite end of the other bolt is a similar sleeve 54 extending through the corresponding end lug 49. The inner ends of these sleeves bear against the opposing ends of the Companion generatorlugs 47, so that upon loosening the nuts 55 at one end of the bolts and tightening the nuts at the opposite ends thereof, the generator is accordingly moved toward or from the axis of the propeller shaft. This lateral adjustment of the generator coupled with that of the yiiner adjustment afforded by the screw plate 42, permits the ready and convenient setting of the generator relative to the\pro peller shaft and insures the' proper meshing of the gears 32, 36.

Means are provided for normally retaining the bearing sleeve 29l against endwise movement relative to the gear case extension 30, so that through the medium of the thrust bearings 34 and the adjusting collar 38 t-he gear 32 is maintained in mesh with the gen- -erator-gear 36. In the event, however, that the generator `should foul for any reason,

such retaining means constitutes a safety element and is so constructed as to be automatii cally sheared or uncoupled to permit endwise movement of the bearing sleeve and disengagementof the gears 32, 36. To this end,

the rear end of the gear case extension has a perforated lug 56 for receiving the shank of a clamping` bolt 57 and the adjoining portion of the bearing sleeve 29 has a forked lug 58 in which is arranged the head 59 of the bolt.

results in a rearward displacement of the bearing sleeve together with its bevel gear 32, thereby shearing the cotter pin 60 and allowing said sleeve to shift a suflicient distance to disengage the gears 32, V36. Furthermore, this safety feature is located on the outside of the car where it is always visible for inspection.

This improved driving mechanism for the lighting generators of railway cars is not only simple, compact and rugged in construction, but its parts are so organized and arranged as to provide for the necessary adjustments in lining u the generator-shaft with the propeller shaft to the end of providing an integral, mechanical and positive drive `between the car-axle and the generator with a maximum of safety and security. Furthermore, the design of the mechanism is such that it constitutes lan integral part of the truck-frame, enabling the latter to be removed from the car when necessary Without disturbing the generator-drive.

I claim as my invention 1. In a drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with a car-truck and its axle, of a generator rigidly mounted on said car-truck and having its shaft parallel with the axle, a driven shaft disposed alongside Said axle and geared thereto, and a proshaft and at its other end to peller shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-I v described, the combination with a car-truck and its axle, of a generator' mounted on said car-truck and havingits shaft parallel with f theaxle, a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise of thecar-truck and geared to said axle and to said generator-shaft, and means for shifting said generator laterally of the truckframe to effect the adjustment of the 'pitch lines ofthe gears on the generator-shaftand `the propeller-shaft. f-

4. 4In 'a drive mechamsm of the character described, the combination with a car-truck, its axle anda generator having attaching lues thereon, of a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared at one end to the axle. and at its other end ito the generator-shaft, abracket for the generator mounted on said car-truck and having attaching lugs thereon, and bolts for fastening the generator to said bracket and engaging the lugs thereof.`

5. In` a drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with a car-truck, its axle and a generator having attaching lugs thereon, of a propeller shaftarranged lengthwise of the ear-truck and geared at one end to the axle and at its other end to the! generator-shaft, a bracket for the generator mounted `on said car-truck and having attaching lugs thereon, the lugs of the generator being disposed between the lugs of said bracket,

and means engaging said lugs for fastening said generator to said bracket and for effecting a bodily movement of the generator toward and fromthe propeller shaft.

6. In adriie mechanism ofthe character described, 'the combination with a car-truck, its yaxle and a generator .havingr perforated attaching lugs at its top and bottom,'of a propeller. shaft arranged lengthwise of the :ar-truck and geared at one end to the axle.

' andat its other end to the generator-shaft, a

bracket for the generator mounted on said car-truckl and having upper and lower sets of perforated lugs for receiving the generalor-lugs therebetween, upper and lower bolts lengaging the corresponding se-ts of lugs, and

sleeves applied to an end of each bolt. one of said sleeves being fitted in one of the upper set of bracket-lugs and abutting at its inner end against the adjoining upper generator-lug,

and the other. sleeve being fitted in the oppo- *I site end lug of the lower set of bracketlugs and abutting at its inner end against the adjoining lower generator-lug.'

7 In a drive mechanism ofthe character described,-t-l1e combination with a car-truck and its'axle, of a generator mounted von said car-truck land having its shaft parallel with the axle, a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared at one end to the axle and at its other end to the generatorshaft, and means interposed between the generator and the adjoining end of said propeller shaft for effecting a relative lateral movement of said last-named parts to adjust the pitch line oftheiry gears.

8.' In a drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with 'a ear-truck and its axle, of a generator laterally adjustable on said' car-truckand-having its shaft parallel with the axle, a propellershaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared at one end to the axle, gearing at the other end of said propeller shaft for driving said generator-shaft, a housing for said gearing, and an adjustable member interposed between said generator and said gearhousing 'for effecting a relative lateral adjustment 'of the generator relative to the propeller shaft.

j 9. In a'drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with a car-truck and its axle, of a generator ylaterally adjustable on said'car-truck and having its shaft parallel with the axle, a supporting ring attached to the generator about its shaft, an attaching plate adjustably mounted on said ring for movement axially of they generatorshaft, a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise vofthe car-truck 'and geared 'at one end to the axle and at its other end to the generatorshaft', and a housing for said propeller-shaft l and lts gearing, that end of the housing adj ljoining the generator being.' detachably connected to said adjustable attaching plate.y

l0. In a drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with a car-truck and its axle, of a generator. mounted `on said ear-truck andhaving its shaft arranged parallel with the axle, a propellor shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared at one end to the axle and at its other endl to the generator, gear-casings arranged at opposite ends of said propeller shaft, one of said casings including a housing for the latter and terminatingat its free end in a collar, and a bearing sleeve interposed between and engaging said housing-collar and the adjoining end of the other gear casing.

11. In Aa drive mechanism of the character described,'the combination with a car-truck a'ndits axle, of a generatormountedon said car-truck and having'itsshaft parallel with y the axle, a gear on said` generator-shaft, a propeller' shaft arranged lengthwise of the carrtruck-and geared at one end to said axle, a gear on the other end of the propeller-shaft meshing with said generator-gear, a casing applied to the generator and enclosing said last-named gears, a bearing sleeve for the propeller shaft applied to said casing, a housing for said propeller shaft slidingly connected' at one end to said ,bearing sleeve, f and a frangible connection between the bearing sleeve and Said gear-casing.

12. In a drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with a car-truck and its axle, of a enerator mounted on said car-truck and having its shaft parallel with the axle, a driven shaft geared to said axle and mounted for movement toward and from the same, a gear on said generator shaft, a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared at one end to said driven shaft and at its other end to the generator shaft, a casing applied to the generator and enclosing its gear and the'companion propeller shaft gear, a housing for said propeller gear against endwise movement relative thereto, stop means for prevent-ing movement of lthel bearing sleeve relative to said gear casing in one direction, and a frangible connection between said parts for normally1 holding such sleeve against relative movement in the opposite direction.

v IVILLARD F. RICHARDS.

shaft' connected to said'driven shaft to move y therewith toward and from the axle, a bear ing sleeve for the propeller shaft joining said gear casing with said propeller shaft housing, the latter being telescopically connected to` the former and the propeller shaft gear being splinedon its shaft, and means on the bearing sleeve for holding said last-named. gear against endwise movement relative thereto.

13. In a drive mechanism ofcthe character described, the combination with a car-truck and its axle, of a generator mounted on said car-truck and having its shaft parallel with the axle, a driven shaft geared to said axle and mounted for movement toward and from the same, a gear on said generator shaft', a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared. at one end to said driven shaft and at its other end to the gencrator shaft, a casing applied to the generator and enclosing its gear and the companion propeller shaft gear, a housing for said propeller shaft connected to said driven shaft to move therewith toward and from the axle, a bearing sleeve for the propeller shaft joining said gear casingwith said propeller shaft housing, the latter being telescopically connected to the former and the propeller shaft gear being splined on its shaft, lneans on the bearing sleeve forholding said last-named gear against endwise movement relative thereto and a frangible connection between said sleeve and said gear casing.

14. In a drive mechanism of the character described, the combination with a car-truck and itsiaxle, of a generator mounted on said car-truck and having its shaft parallel with the axle, a driven shaft geared to said axle and mounted for movement toward and from the same, a gear on said generator shaft, a propeller shaft arranged lengthwise of the car-truck and geared at one end to said driven 

